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Two ENERGY STAR Products Fail Testing

August 9, 2011 - 4:42pm

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DOE testing has identified two additional models of home appliances that do not meet the ENERGY STAR Program’s energy efficiency requirements. A refrigerator manufactured by the Perlick Corporation and a room air conditioner manufactured by Electrolux Home Products, Inc. were selected for testing as part of the DOE’s ENERGY STAR Verification Testing Pilot Program.

DOE testing revealed that Electrolux air conditioner (model FRA256ST2) and Perlick refrigerator (model HP48RO-S), both of which claimed ENERGY STAR ratings, do not meet the ENERGY STAR requirements. Multiple test results for the Electrolux model show that, when tested in accordance with DOE’s test procedures, it fails to meet the minimum efficiency required by ENERGY STAR. Test results for the Perlick refrigerator model show that it exceeds ENERGY STAR’s allowed annual electricity usage by over 166%.

Although both companies initially disputed the results, further testing by the companies revealed the accuracy of DOE’s tests. Electrolux has requested that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) remove the model from the ENERGY STAR program. Perlick has suspended production, halted shipments, and put a notice on its website that the model is unavailable. DOE's Office of Enforcement referred the two models to the Environmental Protection Agency, brand manager for the ENERGY STAR program, for appropriate action with respect to the ENERGY STAR program.